Joining in their place are the Australian pair of Nick Morris and Jye Etheridge and Belle Vue asset Lee Payne.They will all make their home debuts against the Witches in the return league fixture at Shielfield on Saturday and also be in the side for the visit to Scunthorpe on Sunday.

Team manager Gary Havelock said: “Sadly, the team as signed up at the start of the season has so far proved to be less than successful.

“Everything here has gone so well with our improved infrastructure, excellent public entertainment and much-improved Saturday-night attendances, except for one thing – the team’s results have been pretty woeful!

“As a result, we have released the Claus and Dimitri . Neither has been able to pull in points with any regularity, and in addition they have both at times failed to show the kind of enthusiasm for racing as Bandits we expect from our riders.

“Thus, we are delighted to welcome Australian World Cup rider Nick Morris as our new No 1, a role he will relish and allows Lewis Bridger, who has been facing mechanical problems, time to take on new machinery and race at the less-demanding No 5 position for a while”.

“Also coming on board will be Jye Etheridge, another young Australian who finished the 2016 season strongly in Redcar’s colours, anxious to extend his British racing as a Berwick rider”.

“Finally, with Ryan still sidelined with back and pelvic injuries sustained in a series of alarming crashes, we have invited 30-year-old former moto-x star Lee Payne, who is an asset of the Belle Vue club in Manchester, to take over our No 7 race-jacket in his place”.

Co-promoter Scott Courtney added: “Results-wise things had to change and unfortunately changes are something we have to enforce. Our new line-up is still awaiting BSPA approval as I’m speaking, but we are confident it will be given the OK. The fans deserve some rewards for their loyalty and we can’t go expecting different results while doing the same thing.

“It’s not too late to make a big difference this season and we will be doing everything we can to get some league points on the board.”